Rod 2.0:Beta #gay #news #lgbt #gaynews

Carl Lewis Questions Usain Bolt's Record-Breaking in Beijing

Did it seem odd that Jamaica totally dominated the track events at the Beijing Olympic Games? Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis is more than suspicious. In an interview with Sports Illustrated columnist Arash Makazi, the nine time gold medalist says he "doesn't trust" how easily Bolt shattered three world records in Beijing.

Lewis: Countries like Jamaica do not have a random program, so they can go months without being tested. I'm not saying anyone is on anything, but everyone needs to be on a level playing field

SI.com: I don't want to put words in your mouth, but are you accusing Bolt of possibly doing something illegal in order to gain an advantage?

Lewis: No one is accusing anyone. But don't live by a different rule and expect the same kind of respect. They say, "Oh, we've been great for the sport." No, you have not. No country has had that kind of dominance. I'm not saying they've done anything for certain. I don't know. But how dare anybody feel that there shouldn't be scrutiny, especially in our sport?

The reality is that if I were running now, and had the performances I had in my past, I would expect them to say something. I wouldn't even be offended at the question. So when people ask me about Bolt, I say he could be the greatest athlete of all-time. But for someone to run 10.03 one year and 9.69 the next, if you don't question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you're a fool. Period.

Lewis was blunt in his criticism of Team USA's relatively lackluster performance on the track and attempts to rationalize their clumsiness. "I was completely embarrassed that the United States could not pass the baton. I've been in track and field for 40 years and I've seen the baton dropped 10 times, and we dropped it twice in the Olympics. Look, I love Lauryn Williams, but when I read she said the baton had a mind of its own, I honestly said that girl needs to be committed. Are you kidding me? It was her fault."

Oh, and make sure you read the last graph when Carl Lewis criticizes those who compare track athletes to "young people [who] tell me Beyonce is better than so-and-so." Interesting. Do the "children" really say that?

Thanks BERNIE, RYAN and ATL KID

Carl Lewis Speaks Out on Bolt [SI]

You May Enjoy ...
Carl Lewis Says Bush Should Boycott Cermonies [R20]
Olympic Sensation Walter Dix Bulges with Bronze [R20]
Angelo Taylor and U.S. Track Team Sweep 400M [R20]

Carl Lewis Says Bush Should Boycott Beijing Opening Ceremonies

Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis is coming out against President George W. Bush's decision to attend next month's Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing. Bush says to boycott the ceremonies "would be an affront to the Chinese people" and the American athletes want "to see their president waving that flag."

Carl Lewis disagrees. Writing in The Daily Voice, the iconic track and field gold medalist reminds readers that he and hundreds of other athletes sat out the 1980 Moscow Olympics because of the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Bush should take a "stand", he argues.

It's now 2008. And the idea of another boycott lingers for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. China has human rights issues and there are many nations, including the United States, who want to take a stand. But gone are the days of using the athletes as the sacrificial lamb to make a political statement. It is time for President Bush and other world leaders to take that stand and do the very thing they told us to do back in 1980. This time, he should stay home! The athletes should go and compete.

Numerous human rights activists, athletes and entertainers hope prominent boycotts of the opening ceremonies in Beijing to call attention to the communist nation's dismal record on Tibet, human rights, religious freedom, its extensive trade and military support with Sudan, and, its tacit support of the Darfur conflict.

Carl Lewis, who is from Bush's home state of Texas, is one of only four Olympic athletes to win nine gold medals and was named "Olympian of the Century" by Sports Illustrated.

This time, Bush should stay home [TDV]
Bush: Olympic boycott would insult Chinese [CNN]

Some Background ...
Bush Pressures Sudan with Sanctions Over Darfur [R20]
"We All Witness" Darfur Except LeBron James [R20]
UN Climate Report: Poor Will Suffer Most [R20]
Edwards Launches White House Run [R20]
Sudan's Multi-million Dollar Ad Campaign [R20]